Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread -- Active thread is United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service -- 3+ years after Intro
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Official Polaris Lounge Access Rules are here: Polaris Lounge Access Rules
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
Sleep-Enticing Amenities
In addition to the sleep-enticing United Polaris personal suites, several other amenities were designed with our customers' sleep in mind.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, United has worked with leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets, lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be available upon request.
Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than 12 hours**. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow. New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades, calming lavender pillow mist and additional products from Soho House & Co.'s Cowshed Spa.
With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its employees have long supported.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
** Flights with pajama service (for both directions)
SFO - ICN, PEK, PVG, HGH, XIV, TPE, AKL, HKG, CTU, SYD, TLV, SIN
EWR - NRT, PEK, DEL, BOM, HKG, PVG
ORD - NRT, PEK PVG, HKG
LAX - PVG, SYD, MEL, SIN
IAD - NRT, PEK
IAH - NRT, SYD
(from United Twitter feed https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyjFHZLW...jpg&name=large
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Only customers traveling in United Polaris business class or United Polaris Global First on international flights and customers in Star Alliance international first or business class cabins on flights longer than six hours will have access to the United Polaris Lounge.
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
Sleep-Enticing Amenities
In addition to the sleep-enticing United Polaris personal suites, several other amenities were designed with our customers' sleep in mind.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, United has worked with leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets, lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be available upon request.
Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than 12 hours**. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow. New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades, calming lavender pillow mist and additional products from Soho House & Co.'s Cowshed Spa.
With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its employees have long supported.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
[From [email][email protected] 11/15/2016]
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
SFO - ICN, PEK, PVG, HGH, XIV, TPE, AKL, HKG, CTU, SYD, TLV, SIN
EWR - NRT, PEK, DEL, BOM, HKG, PVG
ORD - NRT, PEK PVG, HKG
LAX - PVG, SYD, MEL, SIN
IAD - NRT, PEK
IAH - NRT, SYD
(from United Twitter feed https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyjFHZLW...jpg&name=large
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service {Archive}
#3542
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
It comes and goes. If I'm on a sUA 772, it's usually offered, but if I'm on a sCO 764, it usually isn't. And the last time I had it offered, the galley was only provisioned with 2 reds and 2 whites, making the 3 glasses somewhat redundant.
#3544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
They need to expand the capacity for the entire range of lounge services, not just bump out a wall and fill an area with seats. Kitchen and bar needs to be able to support the additional usage, as well as restrooms, showers, etc. Seems they already struggle when the existing club is at full capacity, including long waits for food from the kitchen. And the restrooms have been fully occupied at times, as well.
Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if United doesn't get this either, and totally buggers the whole thing up again.
#3545
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
We all know that when it comes to devoting capex funding that will improve the customer experience, it isn't happening if it puts downwards pressure on management bonuses.
#3546
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
Simplistic provisioning?
#3547
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: UNITED 1K, THAI ROP GOLD, Marriott PLAT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 95
IN ORD:
Was told today at the United club near B5 in the B terminal that the new united club in the C terminal will open after the new year. And this club was going to be a temp club for united for the year.. United will then start building a brand New United Club from scratch near C20 that will be used for UC in late 2018/2019. When that C20 New united Club opens, the currently closed C16 Club will be modified and will be the expanded Polaris club for more room and more bars and restrooms and showers.
If this is true, it will give polaris more room..
Can anyone else confirm this?
Was told today at the United club near B5 in the B terminal that the new united club in the C terminal will open after the new year. And this club was going to be a temp club for united for the year.. United will then start building a brand New United Club from scratch near C20 that will be used for UC in late 2018/2019. When that C20 New united Club opens, the currently closed C16 Club will be modified and will be the expanded Polaris club for more room and more bars and restrooms and showers.
If this is true, it will give polaris more room..
Can anyone else confirm this?
#3548
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
IN ORD:
Was told today at the United club near B5 in the B terminal that the new united club in the C terminal will open after the new year. And this club was going to be a temp club for united for the year.. United will then start building a brand New United Club from scratch near C20 that will be used for UC in late 2018/2019. When that C20 New united Club opens, the currently closed C16 Club will be modified and will be the expanded Polaris club for more room and more bars and restrooms and showers.
If this is true, it will give polaris more room..
Can anyone else confirm this?
Was told today at the United club near B5 in the B terminal that the new united club in the C terminal will open after the new year. And this club was going to be a temp club for united for the year.. United will then start building a brand New United Club from scratch near C20 that will be used for UC in late 2018/2019. When that C20 New united Club opens, the currently closed C16 Club will be modified and will be the expanded Polaris club for more room and more bars and restrooms and showers.
If this is true, it will give polaris more room..
Can anyone else confirm this?
Pretty amazing if true...after all this waiting, just a temp UC in C, and expanded Polaris not coming until 2019/2020?
I would say it is not credible, but at this point, hard telling.
#3549
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I think you're misinterpreting. What they're saying is that a partially-expanded Polaris lounge will open in the New Year and thereabouts a small UC in C terminal in the other part of that space. Meanwhile they'll work on building an entirely new UC by C20 by 2019/2020 (which would presumably be much larger). Once that's done, they'll finish expanding Polaris again.
#3550
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
I think you're misinterpreting. What they're saying is that a partially-expanded Polaris lounge will open in the New Year and thereabouts a small UC in C terminal in the other part of that space. Meanwhile they'll work on building an entirely new UC by C20 by 2019/2020 (which would presumably be much larger). Once that's done, they'll finish expanding Polaris again.
But if they increase the seating in Polaris without increasing the capacity for the entire range of lounge services, it is another disappointment in the making.
All speculation for now, but track history of United has me leaning a certain way...
#3551
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Perhaps. I was responding to a FTer, who heard something from a staff member, so no doubt this is a bit muddled.
But if they increase the seating in Polaris without increasing the capacity for the entire range of lounge services, it is another disappointment in the making.
All speculation for now, but track history of United has me leaning a certain way...
But if they increase the seating in Polaris without increasing the capacity for the entire range of lounge services, it is another disappointment in the making.
All speculation for now, but track history of United has me leaning a certain way...
Phase 1: Open expanded Polaris seating and a small C club
Phase 2: Complete construction on a very large, new C club
Phase 3: Close small C club and complete the expansion of complete Polaris services.
One could argue they shouldn't even bother with the small C club and just finish using all of the space for Polaris, but that would leave C without any club for an additional 3 years. Let's see how big it is when it opens.
#3552
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
After another Jimmy Dean sandwich out of Denver, I really enjoyed the burger and the bread pudding in the Polaris lounge today.
No dinner for me on the plane today.
No dinner for me on the plane today.
#3553
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP sad former CK, Bonvoy LT Plat, BAEC Gold, VS, former UA, UA no longer, never, ever, QF
Posts: 228
Polaris is BS
My last paid F on United was on a filthy narrowbody. Broken IFE. No seat power, broken wifi. Plastic plate for breakfast. Seriously. Scrum at boarding with 30 people in "group one".... Southwest with the pretense of something better, only to disappoint. UAL sucks. Big time.
EVERY AA widebody has lie flat. AA has 3 class 321T transcon, lie flat in F, 1-1 seating. Lie flat in J, 2-2 seating on the 321. A flipping espresso machine in F. Really. Showers at JFK. Showers in Miami. Showers in Chicago. Shower for that matter at DCA. Showers at LAX Fab club at SFO.
Delta is offering a great product with Delta One. And that is just the transcons.
International all lie flat on AA, which had "angled lie flat" (for which they took unbelievable crap for the "angle" despite being 5-8 years ahead of the industry). Now all lie flat on international, including international J on the few 757s they continue to operate internationally.
The sooner UAL goes away, the better off everyone will be. Have I ever mentioned United sucks? S U C K S.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 9, 2017 at 3:22 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#3554
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,469
Uh, no. United particularly sucks. Has sucked. Continues to suck. 3 planes out of United's entire suck fleet have Polaris seating (according to WSJ). Marketing BS. A lie. Wrapped in marketing BS. "oh, big problems with Zodiac seats..." AA faced that TWO YEARS AGO and is done with the solution. DONE. Fired Zodiac and found someone else to meet their commitment. There is a reason United is last in every customer service survey. Right there with Spirit. UAL SUCKS.
My last paid F on United was on a filthy narrowbody. Broken IFE. No seat power, broken wifi. Plastic plate for breakfast. Seriously. Scrum at boarding with 30 people in "group one".... Southwest with the pretense of something better, only to disappoint. UAL sucks. Big time.
EVERY AA widebody has lie flat. AA has 3 class 321T transcon, lie flat in F, 1-1 seating. Lie flat in J, 2-2 seating on the 321. A flipping espresso machine in F. Really. Showers at JFK. Showers in Miami. Showers in Chicago. Shower for that matter at DCA. Showers at LAX Fab club at SFO.
Delta is offering a great product with Delta One. And that is just the transcons.
International all lie flat on AA, which had "angled lie flat" (for which they took unbelievable crap for the "angle" despite being 5-8 years ahead of the industry). Now all lie flat on international, including international J on the few 757s they continue to operate internationally.
The sooner UAL goes away, the better off everyone will be. Have I ever mentioned United sucks? S U C K S.
My last paid F on United was on a filthy narrowbody. Broken IFE. No seat power, broken wifi. Plastic plate for breakfast. Seriously. Scrum at boarding with 30 people in "group one".... Southwest with the pretense of something better, only to disappoint. UAL sucks. Big time.
EVERY AA widebody has lie flat. AA has 3 class 321T transcon, lie flat in F, 1-1 seating. Lie flat in J, 2-2 seating on the 321. A flipping espresso machine in F. Really. Showers at JFK. Showers in Miami. Showers in Chicago. Shower for that matter at DCA. Showers at LAX Fab club at SFO.
Delta is offering a great product with Delta One. And that is just the transcons.
International all lie flat on AA, which had "angled lie flat" (for which they took unbelievable crap for the "angle" despite being 5-8 years ahead of the industry). Now all lie flat on international, including international J on the few 757s they continue to operate internationally.
The sooner UAL goes away, the better off everyone will be. Have I ever mentioned United sucks? S U C K S.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 9, 2017 at 3:22 pm Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator edit
#3555
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Maybe when they get the head out of their ..., I will fly them more for TPAC/TATL, until then....NOPE